Harrison out; Ben should play

The Steelers will be without linebacker James Harrison when they play the Tennessee Titans this Sunday at Heinz Field.

“He has a right orbital fracture around his eye socket,” said Coach Mike Tomlin. “That is going to be fixed tomorrow. Needless to say he is going to be out for a number of weeks. I will have more details regarding that injury and the rate of recovery after he has the surgical procedure tomorrow to get that fixed.”

“We have some adjustments that need to take place in terms of who is playing where,” said Tomlin. “We are in the process of doing those things now, specifically at the linebacker position with two outside linebackers being out. We believe that deems it necessary we move Lawrence Timmons to outside linebacker. We are going to do that. He is going to play right outside linebacker. Larry Foote is going to play inside. We are going to go on with that group.

“He has practiced there, he has played there before. Larry Foote is no stranger to the 'Mack' linebacker position. We anticipate those guys being able to play winning football for us.”

There was good news as far as quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, who was injured against the Texans.

“Ben had his foot x-rayed, MRI, thankfully nothing is broken,” said Tomlin. “It is a sprain. It may limit him at the early portions of the week. We anticipate him being able to participate in this football game.”

Tomlin also provided the following injury update: “Cortez Allen has a right ankle sprain that will make him questionable, Casey Hampton has a right shoulder contusion that will limit him and we’ll see how he works this week. Rashard Mendenhall has a right hamstring strain that may limit him at the early portions of this week. Mewelde Moore has a left ankle sprain that is more severe, his participation in this game is questionable. Aaron Smith has a right mid-foot sprain and his participation in this game is extremely questionable.”